It doesn’t take much to win a kid’s heart! If you’re not the all-time favorite adult for the kids in your life, a blanket fort might help you change that. From simple to elaborate, blanket forts are flexible and versatile, and the easy ones can be popped up within just half an hour. Teens and adults too can enjoy the fun of these fluffy forts for a movie night, slumber night, jamming session, romantic date night, etc. Here are a few great ideas for building a blanket fort to spend some memorable moments.

Easy Blanket Fort

The true brilliance of a blanket fort is that it can be popped up virtually anywhere! A simple bed sheet or blanket draped over a desk or table, or pinned from the ceiling like a triangular tent can do the trick easily! The space under the table or desk should be enough for the height of the occupants! Place a floor mat and scatter a few pillows and cushions to create the perfect nook for drawing, reading, or better yet, scheming!

Whole-room Fort

Using an entire room is possibly the best version of an indoor blanket fort. If you have a moderately de-cluttered room and a camping tent, take an unusual route and pitch the tent in the center of the room. Then decorate the surroundings as you wish. To stay true to the DIY blanket fort theme, hang several blankets and sheets over the walls and across the ceiling. The spacious fort will be perfect to be decorated in any theme of your liking, giving a tent-like vibe.

Corner Fort

The goal of creating a corner blanket fort is to use a corner of the room as two walls for the fort. You’ll just need a big enough room with the right furniture or fixtures like an ottoman or sofa. Hang the sheet or blanket from the highest possible point at a corner of the room and secure the edges by attaching them to high fixtures or shelves. Make the floor cozy for lounging with stuffed toys, fluffy pillows, furry cushions, etc.

Clothesline Fort

Lofting the blankets properly and keeping them secure for a long time are often the main concerns while creating a blanket fort. A sturdy wire or string like yarn or clothesline can come in handy here. Hang the clothesline high across the room and drape sheets or blankets over it. If necessary, secure them with clips. To build a wider blanket fort, weigh down the edges of the fabric far from the cord. You can also use two parallel strings for a spacious and larger fort.

Outdoor Fort

Popping up an outdoor blanket fort can be challenging but generally is much more fun and adventurous. You can bring the clothesline idea to your backyard or patio if you don’t mind your blankets and sheets getting a little dirty. Beach towels and picnic blankets are good alternatives too. Keep a weather eye on the sky, especially if it’s not a dry season. Now enjoy stargazing or a memorable day out with your partner or party buddies.

While most parents know that sunscreen is absolutely essential for kids after the age of six months, there’s still the matter of which product is best. Commonly, the choice comes down to lotion, spray, or stick. Because children have more delicate skin, they can get sunburns more easily – even on a cloudy day. On top of that, sunburn from too much time spent in the sun, without any type of protection, has been linked by scientists to a higher risk of skin cancer later in life.

Doctors Recommend Switching Sunscreens According to the Situation

As the weather warms up every year, parents stand in the drugstore aisle, asking themselves what’s the best sunscreen for their kids. In addition to factors like price and brand, parents must also solve the issue of formulation when making their sunscreen decision. Lotion, spray, and stick are all good products, but when it comes to kids, which one is best? According to dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll, it’s all about personal preference, but parents should know more about the different versions of sunscreen and when to apply them.

Sunscreen Stick for the Face, Lotion for Base, and Spray for Touch-Ups

When it comes to children, Dr. Carroll recommends a lotion as a base, a stick for the face, and a spray for quick touch-ups. The stick is good for the contours and a great way to get kids engaged without having them make a mess. It also doesn’t dilute with sweat and doesn’t go into the eyes, making it great for the areas around them.

Some Kids Don’t Like Lotion Sunscreen for Their Faces and Prefer Stick

The stick can also be a game-changer because kids often don’t like it when lotion goes on their faces. This has even led some parents to apply sunscreen on their kids with a makeup brush. Apparently, the practice helps with achieving full coverage. On the other hand, there’s sunscreen spray. Some people spray it on their kids and then don’t rub it in. While this does work, it’s far from ideal. The right way to use a sunscreen spray, and achieve proper coverage, is by spraying it into the hands and then applying it.

Of course, there’s always the option where kids learn how to apply their sunscreen on their own. When kids get involved and take ownership of their skin health, it’s great for them and their parents, too. It’s a good start to have a child apply a stick sunscreen to their face and in the form of a game. One such game can be a challenge to cover every inch of their face before checking the results in a mirror.